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The Merriam-Webster online dictionary defines maverick as “an independent individual who does not go along with a group or party.”
In the musical world, there would be a picture of Finley Quaye next to the entry. Exhibit A: the U.K.-based artist’s celebrated debut was titled Maverick A Strike.
Smashing genre boundaries, the album established Quaye as one of the truly innovative artists of the era. More than a decade later, he’s still breaking musical ground and colouring outside the lines.
Quaye is currently working on three separate albums, all eyed for release next year. But instead of his previous genre-mashing ways, the three projects are each described as category-specific.
Straight From Country is a country album, Hot Rushes is R&B and Pinnacle is roots. When he’s not on the road, Quaye said he’s in the studio working on recording and mixing all three.
When asked why he’s decided to make three separate, genre-specific projects, Quaye’s response is straightforward and unapologetic:
“Because I can I guess. I want to,” he wrote in an email to The Question.
Maverick, indeed.
Canadian audiences will have the chance to witness Quaye’s independent ways for the first time, starting tonight (Thursday, July 15) at the GLC. Quaye and his guitarist Andreas Podda are set to play a rare acoustic set in Whistler.
The show will kick off Quaye’s first-ever Canadian tour, with upcoming stops in Vancouver, Nelson, Calgary and Guelph, Ont.
“The acoustic set is unique,” Quaye said. “It gives Andreas and myself a chance to break the songs down; also it gives us a chance to jam and to share the songs in a more intimate setting.”
Though he said there’s no set release schedule yet for the three albums, fans can look forward to hearing some of the new material at the Canadian shows. Songs such as Shine, Someone Who Loves, After the Fall and Point of Blue will be previewed.
“We play a load of the new material live,” he said.
Born in Scotland and of half-Ghanaian, half-Celtic descent, Quaye comes from a musical family. His father, Cab Quaye, was a jazz composer and his older half-brother a successful guitarist. Perhaps most famously, Finley Quaye is reported to be the uncle of trip-hop musician Tricky.
Quaye burst onto the British music scene in 1997 with Maverick A Strike and top singles Sunday Shining and Even After All. Described by many as a reggae artist, his music effortlessly blended elements of soul, trip-hop and roots — all in an accessible pop package. He won a Brit award for Best Male Artist in 1998.
According to his MySpace bio, his following two albums, Vanguard (released in 2000) and Much More Than Much Love (2004), were even more musically satisfying and challenging.
Quaye credits his unique musical style to the range of music he was exposed to from a young age. He named musical influences from Bob Dylan, Ray Charles and Dolly Parton to French composer Erik Satie, early swing guitarist Charlie Christian and French jazz violinist Stephane Grapelli, among others.
“I listen to a broad range of music and always have done since a boy,” Quaye said.
His latest release is the 2009 compilation, The Best of the Epic Years.
Help welcome Finley Quaye to Canada tonight (Thursday, July 15) at the GLC. Opening acts include Chin Injeti, founding member of Bass is Base, and Vancouver Island folk/reggae/rock duo Jon and Roy. Advance tickets are $20 at the GLC.
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